Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost

Godly Abiding Spiritually in Jesus Changes the Meaning of What we See Worldly When Not Abiding in Jesus.

Spirituality is our innate ability to feel the difference worldly or godly thinking makes to the way scripture translates to our daily life and relationships.

All Scripture is a testimony to Jesus Christ, who is the Word of God. He is the complete revelation of God’s will of grace for salvation. Grace is the only unfailing rule of faith and practice for the Christian life.

The Gospel of grace is: rather than trying to be more faithful to become faithful, we become faithful by feeling the Faith God already has for and in us.

The Strength of Christianity is Grace

John 1:14 “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

Another name for Jesus is "Grace". Another name for God is "Grace". We are saved by GRACE. "Love" is not Love if it is not grace. This is true for "Faith", "Hope", "Joy" and all other theological words of significance in the scripture.

Until someone experiences the grace gift in their lives, all other theological words have no real meaning. Why not begin to use the word "grace" in place of "Jesus", "God", "the Spirit", "Love" and so on? It might seem inappropriate to do so. However, until it is actually experienced it will make no sense at all.

That is what this year is all about. Grace, did you get it?

Drivers wanted: Stay sober and you won’t needa designated driver.

Pray this prayer from the Collect for this Sunday:

“O God, grant that we may be made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom.”

Now quietly move into God's Presence and pray the prayer again:

“O God, grant that we may be made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom.”

Did you feel the difference?

Matthew 25:1-13 “The Kingdom of Heaven is like ten bridesmaids who took their lamps to meet the bridegroom.”

Do you read this scripture literally or gracefully? Literally we read what is obviously written. Gracefully we know what is obvious when we are out of the Presence and the inclusive and unconditional life of grace when we are in His Presence.

“The Kingdom of Heaven is like ten bridesmaids who took their lamps to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. The foolish took no oil for their lamps. The wise took vessels of oil with their lamps. At midnight the bridegroom came. The foolish said, “Give us some of your oil.” The wise replied, 'No! there may not be enough for both of us. Those who were ready went into the wedding banquet and the door was shut to the other bridesmaids. Keep awake for you know neither the day nor the hour.

Literally we can compare the event as a warning to us. We better be prepared and ready at all times because we do not know when the moment will arise that the Lord will come.

How good were the five wise virgins? It all depends on the amount of oil the five good ladies had. The Greek word “aggeion” can be translated as vessel, receptacle, a pail, a reservoir. Whatever it is, it means they had a whole lot of oil in reserve over and above what was in their lamps. If this is true, we have to deal with the possibility of the good virgin’s selfishness. They had plenty of oil to share. They were willing to mess up the Bride’s wedding rather than support it. They are the first New Testament “bridesmaids-zilla’s”.

Why would they be so greedy, insensitive and spiteful? It does not sound like “if you have ministered to the least you have done it to me.” The reason is because this is a parable of grace comparing and contrasting differences.

The key to the story is not found in the bridesmaids, or the bridegroom. It is about light. The reason the good ladies did not share their oil and light is because it cannot be done. We all have in us the unconditional, inclusive Light of the grace of God. It is the same in all people. No one has any more Spirit than others. The Greek word for “foolish” is “moros”. It means foolish, impious and godless. When we are out of the Light of the Spirit we are in darkness. We are foolish when we are not interested in learning how to get into the light, lacking reverence for the light and godless because we are not in the light nor do we care to be.

The good ladies were wise because they knew how to get the light, reverent because they knew where the light came from and godly or as the scripture says “good”. The bad news is that no one can give anyone else the light they have. The good news is we all have it. We need to share not what we see but how we see the light.

We have all the light we need. We don’t have to go anywhere to get it. Do you see the light right now? Here He comes! He is here! Alleluia!

Did you get the grace?

“O God, grant that we may be made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom.”